Game Animal Transportation and securing device

ABSTRACT

A tether is secured to the game animal animal&#39;s head via a snaring loop ( 3   a ) at the base of the skull with a constraining loop around the animal&#39;s snout. Said tether is attached to the rear base of a harness ( 1   a,b,c,d/   2   a,b,c,d,e ,) which is secured to the hunter&#39;s upper body. The harness will accommodate a variety of wearer sizes through the use of an adjustable strap ( 1   f ). The distance between the dragger and the object being dragged can be adjusted by lengthening or shortening the drag strap using a friction buckle affixed to the base of the harness ( 2   h ).

BACKGROUND—CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND—STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION

A portable web strap harness device for the binding, securing and transportation of downed game animals from point of capture in field locations to a delivery destination.

The device facilitates dragging the game animal by securing to the animal's head via a snaring loop at the base of the skull with a constraining loop around the animals snout. Thus aligning the head and neck in such a way as to provide for low resistance and reduced entanglement in brush, forest and field debris. A tether between the animal and hunter attaches to a harness which is secured to the hunter's upper body.

The device can also be used to hoist or suspend the captured animal for field dressing or to secure it above the ground safely from scavengers and predators for later retrieval. The tether device can also be used to secure a hunter or observer from falling when seated in elevated blinds, stands or perches.

The harness is reversible to provide for either camouflage or high visibility as is prescribed by law in some areas or dictated by the user's preference.

BACKGROUND—DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART

Traditionally, game animals are retrieved from the field by grasping the antlers, as in the case of a deer, and pulling with one arm dragging the animal through the forest or field. Other methods include tying a rope around the animals neck or limb(s) and dragging them by pulling on the other end of the rope. The pulling end is often draped across the pullers shoulder, can be tied to a stick for easier grasping or tied around the pullers waist. While these methods can accomplish the task at hand, they require the puller to occupy one or both hands in the pulling process, face opposite the pulling direction or require a posture that is ergonomically undesirable and often results in injury.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,387,566 to Dunagan (Jun. 17, 2008) is an example of a stake tied to one end of a rope with the other end looped around the animals head or limb. The device requires the puller to grasp the handle in order drag the animal. This occupies one or both of the pullers hands making carriage of a fire arm of other gear cumbersome. It also does not allow the pullers hands free to grasp objects to aid in balance or forward momentum.

While U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,850 to Robinson, Jr. (May 4, 1982) loops about one of the pullers shoulders, the weight and drag of the animal being pulled produces uneven stress on the pullers body causing rotation of the torso and an un-ergonomic posture when pulling. It also elevates the center of gravity/pull point forcing an over center balance point for the puller.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,999 to Brock (May 11, 1999) a device for carrying or dragging various objects, such as animals, has a triangular-shaped handle with an eye formed proximate the object for receiving a rope to be connected to the object. The load associated with the object is concentrated at the eye of the handle and requires the puller's hand or hands to be occupied during the transport of the animal.

Conversely, U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,812 to Brackett (Nov. 17, 1998) a portable animal carcass carrier enables two men to easily carry an animal carcass across difficult terrain. The carrier contains a multi-section pole from which the carcass is suspended when the ends of the pole are supported on the shoulders of the men. This device requires two persons to transport the game animal and also requires the transporters to bear the weight of the animal upon their shoulders.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a dragging and securing device comprising dual shoulder straps applying dragging pressure equally across the pullers upper body, with a mid to lower center of gravity allowing the puller to operate the device hands free to carry equipment or aid in maintaining balance and grasping objects to help with forward momentum.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the dual shoulder strap pulling device described in the above patent, several objectives and advantages of the present invention are:

1. An animal or dead load dragging devise comprising:

2. A harness with shoulder straps,

3. An adjustable tether secured to the harness at the base of the users back to evenly distribute the resistance forces across the pullers shoulders and torso.

4. Design and construction aids in balance through a lower center of gravity

5. A snaring device to securely hold and support the transported animals head or limb(s) and orient said head to minimize drag and entanglement during transport.

6. Said snaring device consists of two oval links attached longitudinally which when the web strapping is threaded through each of the links it forms two loops one of which is secured around the animal's skull base, the other which snares the animals snout.

7. Said harness consists of web strapping material, encircling the user's shoulders, extending vertically from the top of each shoulder to approximately the waste and continuing around to the back. A cross strap is divided into two segments, one each sewn or fastened to said shoulder straps approximately mid chest. Said cross straps are connected via a side release buckle mechanism. Cross strap tension and adjustment is managed via single bar slide which grips and holds the web strapping from slipping by binding through friction the strap against itself and the slide bar.

8. Said shoulder straps are joined in the back via a second cross strap. Said second cross strap is sewn or fastened approximately equidistant from the cross strap attached mid chest. Said second cross strap securely couples said shoulder straps providing for even dragging tension against the shoulders and preventing the straps from separating in the back. Shoulder straps traverse the torso on the left and right and are joined at a single point (drag point) waist high in the center of the back. Said single point connection forms a belt loop by which a waist strap or belt can be threaded through forming a lower attachment point which traverses from back to front. Said waist strap is joined by another side release buckle. Length and tension is also adjusted via a single bar slide.

9. The design keeps the hunter's hands free to safely carry their firearm, grasp forest objects to assist in maintaining forward momentum and balance and relieve muscle stress and strain by managing equilibrium, center of gravity and correct posture in the pulling process.

10. Ease of adjustment to the tether, head snare and body harness makes this device compatible and comfortable for users of any height or body style.

DRAWING FIGURES

The drawings identify all the components and construction materials necessary to build a functional device.

FIG. 1 displays a forward profile of the device depicting the;

shoulder harnesses (1 a and 1 b),

chest security cross strap (1 c-1 d),

chest security cross strap side release buckle (1 e),

chest strap adjustment buckle (1 f),

FIG. 2 displays a rear profile of the device depicting the;

rear shoulder harness straps (2 a-2 d),

rear chest cross strap (2 e),

rear waist strap (2 f-2 g),

and harness tether attach point (26).

FIG. 3 displays the tether and snare device depicting the;

harness attachment loop (3 a),

harness adjustment buckle (3 b),

snaring friction link (3 c),

skull base snaring loop (3 d),

and snout snaring loop (3 e)

FIG. 4 displays the tether tether adjustment detail depicting the;

harness attachment loop (3 a),

harness adjustment buckle (3 b),

snaring friction link (3 c),

FIG. 5 displays the snare device detail depicting the;

snaring friction link (3 c),

skull base snaring loop (3 d),

and snout snaring loop (3 e)

FIG. 6 displays a snare example

REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS

1 a left front shoulder strap

1 b right front shoulder strap

1 c left chest security cross strap

1 d right chest security cross strap

1 e chest security cross strap side release buckle

1 f chest strap adjustment buckle

2 a left upper rear shoulder harness strap

2 b right upper rear shoulder harness strap

2 c left lower rear shoulder harness strap

2 d right lower rear shoulder harness strap

2 e rear chest cross strap

2 h harness tether attach point

3 a harness attachment loop

3 b harness adjustment buckle

3 c snaring friction link

3 d snaring friction link

3 e snout snaring loop

DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1-2—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 (Front View), FIG. 2 (Rear View), FIG. 3 (Tether Assembly), FIG. 4 (Harness Assembly), FIG. 5 (Snare Device Detail) and FIG. 6 (Snare Example).

The front shoulder straps 1 a & 1 b are constructed of equal length web strap material. The strapping material is constructed of Polypropylene or nylon, two inches wide (2″ w) by seventy five one hundredth inches thick (0.075″ t) with a tensile strength between eight hundred and one thousand pounds per square inch (800-1,000 psi). The start point of which begins at the lower back position traverses from back to front atop the shoulders, loops under the arms and ends back at the beginning point.

Left and right chest security cross straps 1 c & 1 d are constructed of web strapping material and fastened to front shoulder straps 1 a & 1 b respectively with size 40 nylon thread sewn in a 301 lockstitch with 35-40 SPI (stitches per inch). The chest security cross straps are constructed of Polypropylene or nylon, one inch wide (1″ w) by seventy five one hundredth inches thick (0.075″ t) with a tensile strength between six hundred and eight hundred pounds per square inch (600-800 psi). The unfastened end of 1 d is secured to the chest security cross strap side release buckle 1 e by looping it through the fastening ring on the buckle assembly. Respectively, the unfastened end of 1 c is secured to the chest strap adjustment buckle 1 f via the same method. Left and right chest security cross straps 1 c & 1 d are attached to shoulder straps 1 a & 1 b at approximately breast height.

The rear chest cross strap 2 e made of similar web strapping material is fastened to the rear shoulder harness straps 2 a & 2 b using the same stitching method and materials as the are the front chest security cross straps 1 c & 1 d.

The ends of rear shoulder harness straps 2 a & 2 b are fastened to the ends of rear shoulder harness straps 2 c & 2 d at a termination point at the center of the back at or about the waist area. The same stitching method and materials are used to secure the ends as is used to secure the front and back chest security straps.

FIGS. 3-6—ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENTS

Web strap material is sewn to the ends of rear shoulder harness straps 2 a & 2 b and ends of rear shoulder harness straps 2 c & 2 d forming a loop onto which is secured the harness tether attachment point 2 h which acts as an adjustable friction lock strap binder. The standing end of the harness web strap is looped against itself in the harness tether attachment point and the running or working end makes up the harness which attaches around the animals head and snout. The tether strapping material is constructed of Polypropylene or nylon web, one inch wide (1″ w) by seventy five one hundredth inches thick (0.075″ t) with a tensile strength between six hundred and eight hundred pounds per square inch (600-800 psi).

The web strap material loops through the harness adjustment buckle 3 b, secures around the harness attachment loop 3 a and follows back along the strapping through the harness adjustment buckle over the harness friction link 3 c allowing the standing end to hang free of the harness adjustment buckle. The web strap standing end can be adjusted to shorten or lengthen the tether to the user's preference.

The working end of the tether is looped through the snaring friction link 3 d creating two (2) loops, the skull base snaring loop 3 e and the snout snaring loop 3 f. The snaring friction link is positioned along the underside of the animals jaw with the skull base snaring loop secured around the back of the animals head and snout snaring loop encircling the animals nose. The looping snares are tightened around the skull and snout by feeding the excess web strap material forming the tether through the snaring friction link in the direction of the puller.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see the harness of the main embodiment can be easily donned and doffed quickly by sliding the arms through the shoulder straps and fastening or unfastening securely to their body via the chest security strap. This allows the user to pull squarely against the load keeping their torso forward, hands free and center of gravity low. The materials are constructed from materials of sufficient strength to adequately handle any load capable of being pulled by a typical human.

Respectively, the tether can be attached to the animal and adjusted to a safe and comfortable pulling distance from the user through the use of easily adjustable buckles. The materials used are pliable in cold weather and the synthetic materials perform well in a range of temperatures and weather conditions. The tether can also be easily removed from the harness by loosening the standing end from the snaring buckle and sliding the strap free. It can then be used to hoist the animal to an elevated position such as on a tree limb or pole tied between two posts. The tether strap can also be used to secure the animal to a tree or post to prevent scavengers from caring it away if left unattended.

Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. For example, the harness and tether can be constructed of other materials, both of greater or lessor tensile strength, a greater strength material allows the harness and tether to be used as a securing device for hunting from an elevated position. An additional cross strap, secured at the waist could be employed to provide an additional anchor point for the tether. This would also provide another security strap attachment point for additional safety when used as an elevated position harness.

Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

1) A device to be worn by a human or pack animal for the transportation of game animals, comprising: a) A plurality of straps of sufficient length to form a harness that is secured around the wearers upper torso b) Means for fastening to said wearer, said straps c) A drag strap extending from the rear of said harness d) Means for fastening said drag strap to rear of said harness e) Means for adjusting length of said drag strap to allow for variable distance from game animal to said device wearer f) A snaring mechanism to secure the game animal to the harness 